Silverado’s girls humble Western

James Yodice

Wednesday, Feb. 5, 1997 | 11:59 a.m.

This was the equivalent of having to make a six-inch putt, or hit a baseball off a tee -- it really looked that easy for Silverado High School's girls basketball team.

Whatever Western attempted as it tried to keep the Skyhawks away from the basket failed Tuesday night. No matter how many double-teams, full-court presses or half-court zone traps the Warriors tossed out for Silverado to decipher, the Skyhawks solved.

The result was a dominating second half and a 69-52 Sunset Division victory over Western, tying the two teams for second place in the Southern AAAA Conference at 6-4.

Silverado (14-9 overall) and Western (10-9) trail Bishop Gorman by two full games -- the Gaels are 8-2 -- in the brutally competitive Sunset Division. Durango also is 6-4 in league, while Clark and Cheyenne are 5-5.

Silverado was so incredibly efficient in the second half of its win Tuesday that not a single one of its field goals was scored from more than three feet away. The Skyhawks, who had scored the last seven points of the first half to take a 31-24 lead, recorded 13 field goals in the final two periods, all of them either layups or putbacks.

With Skyhawks coach Diane Hernandez constantly chirping at her players from the sideline Silverado responded with one of its best games this season.

"They're really starting to develop as a unit," said Hernandez. "But we haven't reached our peak yet, I feel."

Which is quite something, really, because the Skyhawks had been minus senior post Helen Kale for nearly a month. However, her recent return has energized the team. Silverado was 2-4 while Kale nursed a broken finger on her left hand, but by the looks of Tuesday night Silverado is as dangerous a team in the area as there is.

"I think (playing without me) was a learning lesson for the team," said Kale, who had a team-high 23 points and 12 rebounds to lead Silverado. "Each of the players knew they had to step up, and now that I'm back, I'm another asset."

Senior guard Joyce Sudario was brilliant for Silverado, scoring 20 points and assisting on countless inside layups. Sudario is a defense's worst nightmare, since she can shoot from the perimeter or break down someone off the dribble and penetrate.

It was Sudario who nailed a 3-pointer late in the first half that put Silverado ahead for good at 27-24.

"Joyce and I, this is our senior year and we've never been to state," said Kale. "We know we have do work hard ... she and I are like shoes and shoelaces -- we're a perfect fit for each other. She always knows where I am."

Amber Fife also was large for Silverado, scoring 19 points.

"This was a big plus for us," Hernandez said. "Western is a very good team."

* LAS VEGAS 47, GREEN VALLEY 30: The Wildcats held the Gators without a point during the first quarter, opening up a 16-0 lead while never looking back. Eldricka Wolridge scored a game-high 27 points for Las Vegas (11-6, 6-3 in the Sunrise Division). Green Valley, losing its third straight, fell to 11-7, 6-4. Crissy Buck made five 3-pointers and led the Gators with 23 points.

* RANCHO 34, CHAPARRAL 32: The Rams (3-16, 2-7 in Sunrise) provided the night's -- maybe the season's -- biggest upset, knocking off the Cowboys (8-10, 6-4). Mandy Jones had eight points to lead Rancho; Crystal Bowen scored 18 of Chaparral's 32 points.

* BISHOP GORMAN 82, CLARK 78: Amy Roban scored 24 points, leading the Gaels (18-7, 8-2 in Sunset) to a win over the Chargers (8-10, 5-5). Celeste Grover led Clark with 21 points.

* OTHER GAMES: Danielle Boyack had 18 points for Durango (10-12, 6-4 in Sunset) in its 51-39 victory over Bonanza (8-11, 3-7). Shastian Gogo had 12 points to pace the Bengals. ... Basic (14-5, 9-1 in Sunrise) retained a one-game lead over Eldorado in the league with a 61-21 rout of Vo-Tech (0-14, 0-10). Teresa Ramirez led the Wolves with 20 points; Crystal Sales had 10 for the Roadrunners. ... The Sundevils (15-7, 8-2) stayed right on Basic's heels with a 60-40 win over Valley 2-17, 2-8). Camina Stevenson led Eldorado with 18 points, while Jennifer Brooks had 17 to lead the Vikings. Valley did not shoot a free throw. ... Cheyenne (10-9, 5-5 in Sunset) nearly stumbled, but hung on in overtime to down Cimarron-Memorial (4-15, 1-9) by a 62-59 count. Vanessa Smith's 14 points were high for the Desert Shields. The Spartans got 27 points from Nikki Gerdis and 23 more from Emily McCarter.